Wild Dill is one of my fave green shops for kids! You can get clothes, toys and gifts all in one spot. I appreciate a store that is really dedicated to the green cause instead of just claiming to be. I would also like to add that this is another company with awesome customer service. That is one of the most important things to me when shopping anywhere. Now on to the fun stuff!

This article was written by our fave guest blogger and one of my closest friends Danielle Mosley! She wanted to share some excellent tips for hosting eco-chic parties in 2012.
Even though the holiday’s are over there is still a full year of events left to be scheduled!
Here are some simple tips on throwing zero-waste “eco-chic” parties:

1. First things first are invitations.
The easiest way to send an eco-friendly invite is an Evite. There are so many sites doing that these days so you can find the perfect one. Try Evite.com or Stationery by Amy Adele.You can also make your own invites out of things you have from around the house or find items such as recycled card stock at your local craft store. You can be original with the writing by using cut outs from a magazines or even images and make the invite a game to figure out, left over ribbon from the holidays, buttons, you name it! Be Creative and have fun with it! Guests appreciate when the host goes out of their way and personalizes the party.

2. No matter the size of your party you are going to notice a pile up of trash from plates and cups to straws and cutlery. Skip the plastic and try reusable flatware. Plenty of places also sell biodegradable utensils and flatware, even napkins. Like these Bamboo Plates, Biodegradable Trash Bags or these Biodegradable Paper Straws.

3. Next is décor…you can deck out the whole party with biodegradable goodies like balloons and crepe paper steamers Make your own confetti with scraps of paper from your amazing homemade DIY invites. You can make a pretty amazing centerpiece with magazine flowers . You can even create a mini version of this for a party favor for your guests. Use clean vegetable cans, decorate the outside with a solid piece of recycled paper and decorate in a similar fashion to the invites. If your event calls for real flowers please make sure to buy them locally, make sure they are organic like OrganicBouquet.com. If you keep bottles and jars like i do you can use them as vases or votives and make cute take aways for your guests as well. If you use candles safely you can save energy and since it is winter if you cook your food and plan arrival times can keep your venue warm without having to turn on your heat. If you have to use party lights make sure to get energy saving bulbs, no need for your bills to sky rocket just because you want to have fun!

4. Next are food and drinks obviously. I know you know to go local and organic which is easy enough now many local groceries have their won organic or natural sections. In some areas it isn’t as easy to find organic wine or liquor. One of my fave organic wine retailers is OrganicWineCompany.com or you can try Crop Vodkas or Prairie Vodka. If beer is more your style then try Eel River`s Certified Organic I.P.A .
If you are unsure what kinds of apps and fun food to serve you can always check out our receipe section where I have plenty of fun food for the greenie in you! Also keep in mind if you use all organic foods and biodegradable flatware, cups, utensils you can throw it all to be composted.

Oh how I swoon over the Spring Bamboo Clock! The Bamboo Clock is spectacularly beautious! I would like to say that is is a little pricey but to be honest it is hand made in the USA, made from bamboo and is under $100. Comparing that to many other eco-living sites that really isn’t bad. The Spring Bamboo Clock literally made me jump for joy when I came across it. I am positive I must have the Bamboo Spring Clock like yesterday! I am pretty sure you know someone who needs it too! It is back to school season after all, maybe a new college student or teacher needs a little gift before the school year gets into full swing? Keeping summery things around helps ease the pain of the realization that summer is coming to a close shortly. That makes everyone a little sad.

This clock emanates the feeling of Spring time and was inspired by Japanese paper cutting art. All images have to be connected in order to allow the laser cutting technique used to cut out the image as a single piece.
Hand made in the USA
The white part is ivory acrylic and it is backed by eco-friendly bamboo to bring out its elegant and intricate design. Clock hands are in chocolate brown. Clock requires one AA battery to operate.
Materials: Bamboo, Acrylic, Clock parts
Made per order, please allow 1-2 weeks to leave the studio.

I have always loved these! I’ve seen bamboo salad mixers before but I love the over sized ones. Buy Greens Bamboo Salad set is perfect as a housewarming gift or for yourself. Having cute salad sets could even get you to eat more salads which is always a good thing. Being that the set is made from bamboo ,which is one of the most sustainable materials in the world, you can feel safe and secure you have purchased the right product and made more than just the healthy choice.

Product Info:
Serve salads easily with these 100% bamboo salad hands. Our 2 Piece Bamboo Salad Hand Set are light in color. These stylish salad servers will be a statement of eco-friendly style.
These 2 Piece Bamboo Salad Hand Set and other bamboo are durable, safe and environmentally- friendly. Stronger than oak, bamboo is a sustainable hardwood that reaches full maturity in four years, renews itself quickly and doesn’t require the use of pesticides.

How amazingly cute is this dress from Bamboo Styles! I absolutely love it! It is only $28 and guess what….MADE OUT OF BAMBOO!! Super cool right?! I love hoods I have no idea why but I do and the 3/4 sleeve and stitching make me need this Bamboo Hoodie Dress, like yesterday. Usually, most of bamboo or even organic cotton clothing is very plain and crunchy looking. The pieces that have a little attitude to them are usually crazy expensive. I really do appreciate finding stylish clothes that are priced right and sustainable for our environment. I am glad to see a company such as Bamboo Styles appreciates this as well. Bamboo Stylesdoesn’t offer a huge selection of men’s or women’s clothing but the items they do offer I happen to think have a little flare to them which makes all the difference to me.

Product Info:
•Biza brand
•Form fitting on top and through sleeves – comfortable loose fit in the skirt
•Bottom hem hits at mid-thigh
•3/4 sleeves
•Empire waist band detail
•Scar stitching on shoulder seam and waistband
•70% bamboo 25% cotton 5% spandex
•Made in Mexico
The bamboo clothing you purchase from us is guaranteed to be:
•Extremely soft
•Moisture wicking
•Made from bamboo grown without the use of pesticides or fertilizers

I always stress the importance of American Made products! Furniture is no exception. I know it may be difficult to find but possibly you aren’t looking in the right places. Oompa.com has Room Decor & Furniture all made in the USA! I will admit some of the items are pricey but combined with their green outlook on products I think it is worth it to spend a little extra to have environmentally safe products in your home.
We know bamboo is one of the most sustainable and environmentally sound building materials the Earth has so it is important to purchase big items such as furniture that is made from bamboo. If more people purchased furniture made from sustainable materials such as bamboo it would drive the prices down and possibly force larger companies to begin to use bamboo in their products as well.
Although sustainability is extremely important around the world even more locally I feel that purchasing American made products is just as much of our responsibility. Not enough products are made here in the USA and if we want to fix our economy we should support our workers and their products. This can only benefit all of us if we stick to our guns. You have heard about purchasing locally or being a locavore so why not when possible be a “locavore” for our country! The more we purchase products displaying MADE IN THE USA the more items can be made in the USA. It only makes sense!

Product Description:

Fun, hip, yet simple in appearance, this sleek bookshelf is wonderful for both display and storage. Suited for kids and adults alike, the shelf is made to accommodate both closed and open storage needs, all in one unit! Painted with an eco-friendly non-toxic powder coated paint. Includes safety strap that is mounted to wall, for extra stability. The Bookshelf is available in polar white, with accenting drawers in either polar white, birch or bamboo. Ships fully assembled.
Manufactured and produced in southwest Michigan by talented American craftsmen.

Bamboo, as we all know is one of the most renewable resources on earth. These easy to assemble office desk is great for any office. The interchangable parts make this desk easy to fit in to a variety of spaces. You can add and take away pieces as needed. This design is great for growing businesses. Purchasing bamboo furniture for your office is an amazing way to reflect how your business feels with respect to our environment.

Description:
This large office corner desk comes with three shelves and can hold up to six, managing all your storage needs. Top reverses allowing the long side to sit left or right with ergonomic curvilinear surfaces. Made from Sustainable bamboo plywood. Laminated using E-1 grade VOC-free adhesives. Beautiful amber finish created using a non-toxic kiln process. Shelving: Includes two 12-inch shelves and one 24-inch shelf with room for up to three of each.

* Can be expanded from either side with Legare peninsulas, bridges or extensions for limitless configurations
* Panels are asymmetric and reversible meaning double the life of the desk
* Unique locking design of Legare furniture assembles in minutes without the need for tools or hardware
* Disassembles in seconds for flat storage or transport
* Shelves are adjustable in 6-3/8 inch increments
* Dimensions: 60 inches wide x 47 inches long x 32 inches high Weight: 120 pounds

If you are like me and like to wait until the last minute to get your act together gift wise! I have done some of the work for you! Just because you are in a rush doesn’t mean you don’t have to be eco-friendly about it!

*Easy to clean. Wipe your English Retreads product with a damp cloth.
*Easy to shine. Use any standard tire cleaner such as Armor All.
*Cruelty free & vegan: no animal products used in making this bags.
*Classic designs hand-crafted from 100% reused rubber inner tubes.
*Each bag is unique due to the markings and textures of the rubber.
*English Retreads will repair any of their bags if they become damaged due to normal wear and tear (you only pay the shipping costs).

Does your dad like to cook? or eat? Mine sure does! This bamboo cutting board also doubles as a serving plate! Easy to clean and made out of one of the most renewable resources on Earth, make it a perfect addition to any kitchen!

Does your Father like to read? Save paper and give your dad an iTunes gift card. He can download from the computer and put it on a cd if he doesn’t have an Ipod. Your dad can bring his favorite books with him where ever he goes!

Does your father need sometime to relax? Get him a gift for 2! Gilden Tree, Inc.Weekend GetAway basket comes with: two white waffle weave robes, organic chocolates, candle, romantic music, a little 95% Shea Butter Balm and two massage stones. (massage instructions included) The set comes in a pandan box with a lid.

I was as usual searching for things to buy for my home. I am on a mission to slowly rid my home of the un-green. Lately I have been wanting new carpets. We have pets so I needed something easy to clean but I wanted something stylish as well. Not an easy feat with our zoo! Then I remembered something I had read about bamboo carpets. They were the perfect choice. Not only is bamboo one of the most renewable resources in the world but it had all the elements I was looking for in new carpets. I know the carpet may not look soft but I have sat on bamboo mats before and they are smooth and flat. They don’t hurt your feet or splinter like other more rough fibers tend to do.

Bamboo rugs and carpets from Natural Area Rugs are made from the high quality natural materials. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing & strongest plants on earth. Bamboo’s strength is combined with its natural beauty to create the simple clean cut look of bamboo rugs. The Bamboo Rug is easy to clean and built to last. They are exclusively imported for Natural Area Rugs.com

Women’s beauty, accessories and clothing aren’t the only ones going green. Mens appearal and products are just as readily available if you know where to look. Element Eco Wear is socially responsible all the way through and in doing so they still manage to offer a great selection of mens and womens eco-apparel. This isn’t your normal hippie-crunch wear. Element’s bamboo clothes look just like any you would buy at a big name retail store. The only difference is you are helping the environment and have Element Eco Wears promise that all people involved in producing their products are paid fair wages and have safe working conditions.Element Eco Wear has pants, jeans, sweaters, t-shirts, polos, shorts you name it and that is just for you guys! Take a stand with your clothing choices. Support companies that support the worlds lifestyle and not just the seasons hottest fashions.